Harvard University President Claudine Gay has announced her resignation after just six months in office, opting to return to her position as a faculty member. Her departure comes amid mounting pressure surrounding her handling of questions related to antisemitism on U.S. college campuses and allegations of academic plagiarism.

In her resignation letter, Gay expressed her commitment to scholarly pursuits and teaching as she returns to the faculty, stating, “I pledge to continue working alongside you to build the community we all deserve.”

Gay’s presidency, notable for being the shortest in Harvard’s history, began with her historic appointment as the first Black person and the second woman to lead the prestigious Ivy League institution. Her decision to step down follows her appearance before Congress, along with presidents of MIT and the University of Pennsylvania, to address accusations of antisemitism on their campuses during the Israel-Gaza war. Subsequent demands for removal by over 70 U.S. lawmakers ensued, leading to the resignation of the University of Pennsylvania’s president.

The campaign against Gay, largely fueled by conservative activists opposing diversity initiatives, asserted that her appointment was based on her race rather than her extensive academic contributions. Plagiarism allegations, originating from a conservative online journal, intensified the controversy. Gay defended her work, adding quotes and citations to address concerns.

In her resignation letter, Gay reflected on the distress caused by doubts regarding her commitment to confronting hate and upholding scholarly rigor. Despite plagiarism accusations, she received a vote of confidence from the Harvard Corporation, the university’s governing board. Support from colleagues, including hundreds of professors signing a petition opposing calls for her resignation, underscores the perception that attacks on her presidency are seen by some as threats to free speech.